2011 McDonald’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade Winners

This year proved to be the best McDonald’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade yet!  With over 85 entries in the parade, competition was fierce!  Many parade participants have been familiar entries for many years- this year everyone seemed to up the ante.   We saw more green than ever this year!  The judges had an especially tough job this year!  A BIG thanks goes out to everyone who came out and helped make this year’s Roanoke St. Patrick’s Day Celebration a huge success.  We look forward to what next year holds!! Here are the winners for the 2011 McDonald’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade:

Best Non-Profit: Parrotheads of the Blue Ridge

Best Celtic Theme: Vikings of the Valley

Best Neighborhood: Historic Old Southwest

Best Business: Roanoke Civic Center

Most Patriotic: 29 Division Association

BEST OVERALL: Parrotheads of the Blue Ridge

McDonald’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade’s Grand Marshal- Bryan Lawrence

The 22nd Annual McDonald’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade will continue its long standing tradition of “honoring those that protect and serve,” by selecting someone to serve as our parade’s Grand Marshal, who has dedicated their time and effort to serving the Roanoke community.  Officer Bryan Lawrence served as a Roanoke City Police Officer for over 2o years.

Bryan Lawrence has lived around the Roanoke area for most of his life.  When he was younger, he worked at a local Kroger store but eventually got bored.  In February of 1987 Bryan applied to the Roanoke City Police Academy and was accepted after undergoing many preliminary tests.  When asked what made him decide to become a police officer, he smiled and said, “because they were the only ones who would hire me.”    After graduating from the Academy, he was assigned to patrol for a short period of time before he was transferred to the Community Oriented Policing Unit (COT).  In 1992, he was appointed as a D.A.R.E officer and spent the next seven years working in local high schools.  In 2000 he was transferred to the Crime Prevention Unit.  It was then, that he played a significant role in developing Project Lifesaver Program here in the Roanoke Valley.  Roanoke Police department launched the program in late 2002.  “Project Lifesaver uses technology to assist caregivers of people who have Alzheimer’s, Downs Syndrome, Autism and other related mental dysfunction disorders.  Those participating in the program wear personalized radio transmitters.  The Crime Prevention Unit can track individual transmitters, allowing officers to quickly locate someone who is lost or has wandered away.  The program is free of charge and the Roanoke Police Department also allows citizens in near-by jurisdictions to obtain transmitters.”(information from RoanokeVa.gov)

Officer Lawrence was working off duty one evening in May 2008 when he responded to a radio call.  Upon attempting to arrest one of the offenders, he was attacked by another; an attack that caused major injury to the spinal cord and left him paralyzed.  He was rushed to Roanoke Memorial and knew he would need extensive rehabilitation.  He was put on a waiting list for one of the best rehabilitation centers on the East Coast, Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia.  The waiting list at Shepherd  is usually 6-10 weeks.  Bryan and his wife, Brenda, got the call within just a week of waiting that a room had become available.  Immediately, he was sent to Atlanta to begin rehab.  It was while Brenda and Bryan were at Shepherd Center that they claim the “real heroic acts” were done.  A long time neighbor and friend, Scott Graham, who is a local firefighter rallied the community together to help in every way possible.  He coordinated along side of contractor, Scott Mutter, a complete renovation of their home to be more handicap accessible, as well as having most of the materials needed to do so, donated.  There was also a motorcycle ride in his honor that raised over $63,000, money that was used to purchase a fully accessible custom van for Brenda and Bryan Lawrence.

Lawrence dedicated not only his service to the police department but also dedicated his time and devotion to visiting area retirement communities and conducting bible studies for the residents.  Bryan  attributes his faith for his perseverance and determination to continue to set goals for himself such as  participating in a 5Krun/walk as well as picking up a cycling class or two at the gym where he works out.  Bryan will tell you that he is no hero but on the contrary, it is the way he lives his life that makes him an inspiration and  model citizen of Roanoke, VA.

We are honored that Bryan Lawrence has agreed to serve as our 2011 McDonald’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal.  He and his wife Brenda will ride in our Grand Marshal float.  He will also be honored at the Celtic Festival by the newly appointed Chief of Police, Chris Perkins.  The parade will be held downtown Roanoke on March 12, 2011 and steps off at 11:00am.

A Memorial Day weekend that won’t break the bank!

Roanoke, Virginia (May 28-31, 2010) -   Festival in the Park will celebrate its 41^st year during Memorial Day weekend.  As always, Festival in the Park is an exciting weekend with tons of stuff to do for any age, but this year will prove to be the best by far!  We’ve got a fantastic concert line-up as well as a jammed packed weekend of family friendly activities that are sure to please!  We’re bringing back many of the popular activities that people look forward to during Festival weekend like the Fine Arts & Craft Show, the Youth Art Show, the infamous Fireman’s Foam, Honey tree’s inflatables and face painting, Fire Safety House and many fabulous daytime performing artist.

However, we’re excited about the new additions to the line-up this year like Larry’s Tropical Bird Show, Dr. Laura Mann’s “Opera-tunity” Show and the Mega- Extreme Obstacle Course & Bungee Run.  All the daytime activities are absolutely free! What a great way to entertain an entire family without having to spend lots of money.

In addition to all of the great activities listed above, Festival in the Park is excited to bring many well-known, national acts to downtown Roanoke. Star Country, WDBJ-7 and Festival in the Park are bringing country star- Rodney Atkins and Big Kenny, from Big and Rich. Rodney Atkins has had over five hit singles that have topped both Country Music Charts as well as Billboard.  Rutledge will also be performing on opening night, May 28^th; gates open at 5:30pm.  On Saturday, May 29^th K92, Bud Light and Festival in the Park are bringing international sensation Sister Hazel.  Polychrome is a local group who will be opening for the platinum selling group.  Star Country and Cox Communications are back at it on Sunday, May 30^th with another great concert line-up including Chris Young, The Band Perry and Jaron & The Long Road to Love.  All three acts currently have hits on the Country Music Charts and I-tunes top 50.  Again, gates open at 5:30pm; music starts around 6:00pm.  Join us to celebrate Memorial Day (Monday, May 31^st) in style with 1964: The Tribute, presented by Q99, Kroger, Oakey’s and Festival in the Park.  This act is always a crowd favorite and we are excited to have them back again for another year!

You can enjoy all four nights of fabulous music for only $32.00 by purchasing a “Festival EZ 4-Pass” at any area Kroger Store or $10.00 per person at the gate.  Don’t miss out on this Memorial Day weekend tradition!

Capt. Chris Brown honored at McDonald’s St. Pat’s Parade

The 21st annual downtown McDonald’s St. Pat’s Parade will continue its longstanding tradition of “honoring those that protect and serve.”  The life, memory and contribution to our community of Roanoke City Firefighter, Capt. Chris Brown will be honored posthumously at this year’s Roanoke St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on Sat. March 13, 2010.

When EventZone staff heard that Chris Brown had died suddenly in October ‘09, we really wanted to do something to honor his memory.  Chris served as a firefighter for the citizens of Roanoke City since 1994.  Chris was a hero and inspired others by being such a role model.

The suggestion was made at the first St. Patrick’s Day Celebration committee meeting that Capt. Brown be honored posthumously as the McDonald’s St. Pat’s Parade’s Grand Marshal.  EventZone contacted Fire Chief David Hoback and he contacted the Brown family and they agreed, indicating that it would be an honor.  Chris’ wife Stephanie and his two daughters Caroline and Hannah will be on the Grand Marshal parade float along with Chris’ mother, and sisters.  Chris’ brother, Mark who also is a Roanoke City firefighter, a Lieutenant with Engine 5 C-Shift will walk along the parade with fellow fireman from Chris’ station. The Brown family will be acknowledged at the judge’s stand during the parade and after the parade at the Celtic Festival. The family will be presented a plaque in honor of Chris, as he was a dedicated person that worked to “protect and serve” the citizens of Roanoke City.

Read more about Capt. Chris Brown

Roanoke Times article

Roanoke Fire.com blog